Coimbatore: If political parties continued to neglect the region, the Kongu Nadu Munnetra Peravai (KMP) will be forced to press for a separate statehood, said its State president Best S. Ramasamy here on Friday. He is also a candidate of the party in Pollachi Lok Sabha constituency.

He was speaking at a public meeting organised in Coimbatore to seek votes for its nominees, E.R. Easwaran (Coimbatore), R. Devarajan (Namakkal), K.M. Chellamuthu (Dindigul) and K. Balasubramanian (Tirupur).

Mr. Ramasamy said that KMP would ensure the progress of the entire region comprising 10 districts that accounted for 42 per cent of the revenue. The Peravai was not a party of a particular community. Mr. Ramasamy said that proposals for Avanashi – Athikadavu scheme, Anaimalaiaru and Nallaru schemes in Parambikulam–Aliyar Project (PAP) had been gathering dust for nearly 30 decades. The track doubling of Coimbatore-Irugur sector was also languishing for more than a decade.

Thirty bridges were constructed in Chennai in 11 years whereas more than six railway gates between Coimbatore and Tirupur were yet to get overbridges, he said. “Where is the urgency to construct a new Assembly complex, when people are languishing without even basic infrastructure,” he asked.

With the formation of Tirupur district, Coimbatore’s population has become 29 lakhs. Why Pollachi should not be made a district, he asked.

Elected representatives from this region were neglecting the people. If the neglect continued, KMP would have to press for a separate statehood. He cited the examples such as Jharkhand, Chattisgarh and also the demand for Vidarbha.

The Peravai general secretary and Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency candidate, E.R. Easwaran, unveiled the name board of the party’s labour wing. He said political parties were trying to garner votes exploiting the sufferings of Sri Lankan Tamils.

Noyyal remained neglected because of the inefficient rulers of the past and the present, he said.

He said that the State Government was ensuring uninterrupted power supply to foreign and multi-national companies but denying it to Indian industries and agriculturists.

He promised LPG supply through pipes and resolve litigations of Housing Board in land acquisitions.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Congress had to change their stand in considering permission for toddy tapping because of the persistent pressure from KMP and that itself was a first victory, he said.

Mr. Devarajan wanted the party to ensure that everyone voted. Earlier, the party leaders let off doves seeking restoration of peace in Sri Lanka.